Obituary - John Vincent

The owner of Vincent Timber, John Vincent, died on July 14. He was 64.

John Edward Vincent was a true Silhillian. Born in 1953, he lived his whole life in Solihull.

He had a happy childhood with his parents, Bill and Win and his younger brother David. Mr Vincent attended Cedarhurst Preparatory School and Solihull School, where he was able to develop his love of sports.

His career path had long since been decided and in 1972, he joined his father in the successful family business, Vincent Timber, which had been founded by his grandfather in 1923.

In 1977 he met his beloved future wife Carol-Anne and their life together was made complete, with the births of daughter Emma in 1988 and son Jake in 1989.

Mr Vincent was proud of his children’s achievements, Jake, ensuring the continuation of the successful timber business that his great-grandfather founded and daughter Emma, a chartered accountant, both following in their father’s footsteps by excelling in sports.

As a man, a colleague, a friend a father and a husband, he was extraordinary because he was so ordinary and down-to-earth. Known as Big John for his physique, he was a very unassuming man who shied away from the limelight.

As one of the Vincent family, he was born to have a passion for timber in all its forms. As son Jake advised, his father simply “loved wood” and was known to his staff as a “Woodie”.

Mr Vincent was a timber “Great” and will be missed by all who met him.